Caldwell
R & E History
The Caldwell
Research and Extension Center is the oldest off-campus center
in the University of Idaho's Experiment Station system. Mr.
Elias Nelson, an irrigationist, arrived in 1905 and was the
first individual at the station. He was followed in 1906
by L. C. Aicher, an agronomist, and superintendent. The Caldwell
Research and Extension Center has been in continuous operation
since its establishment in 1906. The Center was originally
established to study the slick or alkali spots prevalent
in the area south of Caldwell. The slick spots are areas
of clay that pack tight and do not allow crops to grow.
Research on the slick spots indicated a need for animal manure as a cure
for these problems. In response to these needs, a dairy cattle program
was established to provide manure for the agronomic research. Dairy research
was fully established in 1914 under the direction of O.D. Center. Discontinued
a few years later, the dairy work was reinstated in 1945 at the request
of the dairy industry. During the 1960's the dairy research program was
moved to the Moscow campus. A swine program began in 1916. It was
later discontinued, but in 1960 a swine testing program was developed in cooperation with
the Idaho Swine Growers. The program was active for about ten years.
Cattle
feeding research was initiated in 1919 by J.E. Norby.
Nutrition research and beef cattle management
was conducted until 2002, and was the
main emphasis of the Caldwell Research and Extension
Center for 20 years. Much of the early research on feeding
potatoes to beef cattle was conducted at this Center.
Sheep
research was initiated in 1920 by Dave Stubblefield.
Much of this work was continued under the direction of
Reuben Johnson during the time he was superintendent.
The sheep work continued until 1976, when it followed J.J. Dahmen's
transfer to the Moscow campus.
A veterinary
research program was started about 1965 at the location across from the present Vallivue School. Research on livestock diseases
continued there until the work was incorporated into
the Caine Veterinary Research and Teaching Center.
Up to November 2006, The
Caldwell Research and Extension Center consisted of 320 acres
located south of Caldwell. About 240 acres were farmed each
year, producing feed for livestock research and extension
programs. Crops grown included alfalfa hay, grain, and corn
silage.
In
November 2006, the faculty and staff were relocated to the
University of Idaho's Caldwell Complex, located in downtown
Caldwell, at 1904 E. Chicago Street, Suite AB, Caldwell, ID
83605. Also housed at the Complex is the University's
Business and Technology Incubator and the Food Technology
Center. The Complex also includes a classroom with
state-of-the-art technology, capable of video linking
conferences and classes.
Research and extension work in range economics, beef
production, dairy production, 4-H, and computer support are
the main emphasis of faculty programs.
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